THE INCONSOLABLE SECRET

A 2-CD set including a fold out cover by Roger Dean (a member of the Prog Archives family), what a prosperous symphonic rock event! The music on CD1 (entitled "The knight") is a tribute to the Seventies prog sound from the symphonic rock dinosaurs, THE link between Glass Hammer and Roger Dean. First "A maker of crowns" (more than 15 minutes) that starts with classical piano, then a slow rhythm featuring pleasant interplay between vintage keyboards like the Mellotron, Hammond organ (strong echoes from Keith Emerson) and Minimoog synthesizer, supported by a dynamic rhythm- section and some howling guitar licks. To me the vocals sound a bit mediocre but not disturbing. The second track entitled "The knight of the north" (almost 25 minutes) is a 24-carat symphonic rock composition delivering many changing climates and rhythms, breaks and soli on guitar and keyboards. Enjoy the mid-tempo pieces with powerful Hammond organ runs, classical orchestrations, some Steve Howe-inspired steel-guitar play, violin-Mellotron eruptions, Minimoog flights and a sumptuous conclusion featuring marvellous choir-Mellotron floods, GREAT!! Although at some moments my attention slips a bit away, most of the two long tracks sound very pleasant and contain lots of captivating progrock parts. CD2 (entitled "The lady") starts with "Long and long ago" (almost 10 minutes), after a classical piano intro a mid-tempo follows including organ and fiery electric guitar, again some exciting Steve Howe-inspired steel-guitar soli, a flashing organ solo, harder-edged electric guitar escapades and lots of sumptuous keyboards, supported by powerful drums and bass. In "The morning she woke" we can enjoy great keyboards and a wonderful duet between the great female vocals and majestic violin-Mellotron and fragile piano, unique! Perhaps the best and most compelling composition on this 2-CD is "Lirazel": first a melancholic climate with serene vocals, mellow organ, wailing violins and then church-organ, piano and classical guitar runs, very beautiful and moving! The other tracks sound very alternating: a choir, violins and high voices in the melancholical "The high place", a folky atmosphere in "Morrigan's song", ominous and bombastic sounds featuring organ and violins in "Walking toward doom", a fluent rhythm with powerful Hammond organ and sparkling piano in "Mog Ruth" and a dreamy climate with piano, violins and again that wonderful female voice in "Through a glass darkly". The next two songs "The lady waits" and "The mirror cracks" contain classical orchestrations, evoking The Enid at some moments. The final track is "Having caught a glimpse" featuring a classical intro, then a bombastic climate with Chris Squire-like bass, organ and violin-Mellotron along dreamy parts with piano and high vocals. In my opinion CD1 sound wonderful in the 'classical symphonic rock tradition' but CD2 is more refined, adventurous and captivating so three stars for CD1 and four stars for CD2. By the way, CD1 contains an 'enhanced' CD for the computer with bonus material. ENJOY IT!!